Course Syllabus

NSO 100: New Student Orientation

Overview

New Student Orientation (NSO) provides students new to Penn State World Campus with the information and skills necessary to be successful online learners at Penn State. This NSO course is nongraded and self-paced, and we anticipate that the material can be covered in five days. You, however, are invited to work at your own pace.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to  

• develop self-knowledge regarding readiness for online learning;
• understand Penn State’s online learning structure, policies, and resources that support a successful transition to the World Campus;
• develop an understanding of the interests, skills, and abilities related to intended majors;
• develop, set, and evaluate goals related to online learning;
• understand the skills and technologies necessary for successful online learning; and
• recognize the resources available to facilitate integration into the community of online learners.

Required Course Materials

No required materials for the course. 

Technical Requirements

Technical Requirements

Operating System	Penn State's LMS, Canvas, supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review the Canvas Computer Specifications.
Hardware	For a list of required computer hardware specifications and internet speed, please review the Canvas Computer Specifications.
Browser	Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. We highly recommend updating to the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. To determine if your browser is supported, please review the list of Canvas Supported Browsers. Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites.
Plug-ins	Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe] Flash Player [Download from Adobe] Java [Download from Oracle]—The Java plug-in is required for screen sharing in Conferences. Please note that some browsers do not support Java.
Additional Software	Microsoft Office (2007 or later)
Printer	Access to graphics-capable printer
DVD-ROM	Required
Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers	Required
Monitor	Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution
Mobile Device	The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements.

If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk.

For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem-solving, visit World Campus Student Services!

Course Requirements and Grading

New Student Orientation is a nongraded course and does not apply to any degree requirements. Various assessments and activities throughout the course will help to gauge your learning as you progress through the modules. In addition to the primary lessons within the modules, you're invited to go through any of the various supplemental lessons that pertain to your situation or are of interest to you.

This course requires you to fully participate in the class by reading material, viewing online videos, participating in discussion forums, and completing activities. You are expected to respectfully interact and communicate with classmates and instructors at all times.

Course Schedule

Start Here

• Welcome and Introductions
• Pre-Course Survey
• Tech Camp: A Resource for Online Students
• Canvas: Your Virtual Campus
• Truly a World Campus
  • Discussion: Introductions

Module 1: Student Basics

• Getting Started in Module 1
• Penn State Email
• Email Account Configuration and Staying Safe 
• Protecting Your Digital Identity
• The World Campus Student Portal
  • Try It Yourself: World Campus Student Portal
• Getting Started in LionPATH
• The LionPATH Home Page
• LionPATH Navigation
• LionPATH Mobile
  • Test Your Knowledge: Getting Started With LionPATH
• Financial Literacy
• Funding Your Education 
• Accessing and Paying Your Bill
• Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Program
• Tuition Adjustment Policy (Dropping Classes After the Start Date)
• Tuition Due Dates
• Transfer Credit
• The Transfer Credit Tool 
• Using the Transfer Credit Tool
• The Transfer Credit Report
• Your Penn State Degree
• Understanding your Academic Strengths and Choosing a Major
• The Academic Requirements Report
• The What-If Report
  • Test Your Knowledge: Academic Requirements and What-If Reports
• Degree Checksheet 
• Searching for Courses
• Registering for Your Courses
• Course Waitlists
• The Academic Calendar
• Adding or Dropping Courses
• Changing Your Major

• Academic Advising
• Scheduling an Appointment
• Starfish
• Protecting Your Educational Records: FERPA
  • Test Your Knowledge: Academic Advising
• Navigation Coaching and uCoach

Module 2: Preparing for Your Courses

• Getting Started in Module 2
• How Online Learning Works
• Group Work and Assignments
  • Test Your Knowledge: How Online Learning Works
• Being a Successful Online Learner
  • Test Your Knowledge: Being a Successful Learner
• Realistic Goals and Expectations
• SmarterMeasure
  • Test Your Knowledge: SmarterMeasure
• Time Management
  • Calendaring Activity
• ALEKS Math Assessment
• Penn State Code of Conduct
• Academic Integrity
• Penn State Values
• Obtaining Your Course Materials
  • Test Your Knowledge: Obtaining Your Course Materials
• ID Card
• Proctoring
• Library Resources
  • Test Your Knowledge: Library Resources
• Technology Resources
  • Test Your Knowledge: Technology Resources
• Protecting Your Computer
• Software Downloads
• Academic Support
• Tutoring and Academic Support

Module 3: Connecting to Penn State and Your Peers

• Getting Started in Module 3
• Penn State Through the Years
• Building Relationships
• Interacting With Faculty
• Engaging With Peers
• Netiquette
• Diversity and Inclusion
• What to Do When You Face a Problem
• Student Services
• Career Services
• Mental Health Services
• Student Disability Resources
• Veterans and Active-Duty Military
• Clubs & Organizations
• Engagement & Events

Final Assessment

• Final Quiz
• Course Survey
• Congratulations!

Military-Affiliated Programs and Services

• Introduction
• Funding and Payments
• Veterans Benefits
• Rate of Pursuit
• Transfer and Testing Credits
• Priority Registration
• Advising, Disability & Academic Support
• What to Do if You Are Called for Active Duty During a Semester

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity—scholarship free of fraud and deception—is an important educational objective of Penn State. Academic dishonesty can lead to a failing grade or referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to

• cheating,
• plagiarism,
• fabrication of information or citations,
• facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
• unauthorized prior possession of examinations,
• submitting the work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor and securing written approval, and
• tampering with the academic work of other students.

How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled

In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction is also recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. 

All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.

Additionally, World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.

For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State

Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following sites:

• Penn State Senate Policy on Academic Integrity
• iStudy for Success! (education module about plagiarism, copyright, and academic integrity)
• Turnitin (a web-based plagiarism detection and prevention system)

University Policies

• Privacy Notice: In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.
  
• Accommodating Disabilities: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.

In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

• Additional Policies: For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Policies website.  
  
• Deferred Grades: If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Nonemergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled, the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student, or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
  
  For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
  
• Military Students: Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.